"1 March 1948
My very dearest darling Eileen Alana,
A new week and a new month began today and down here March came in like a lamb but early in the day the sun disappeared behind the clouds and the dark and dreary weather persists. It should break soon I hope so that I'll be able to sleep in some Saturday morning for a change. I'll just keep on hoping. I hope that the letter that I wrote to you last night wasn't to glum and blue. I'm all over it now though and once again I'm back to normal. I'm not jumping for joy though because I have a watch tonight from 4 till eight in the morning. My duty days were moved up one and instead of sitting at a desk I'll ride all over the station like a cop patrolling a beat. It will make the time go a little faster I hope. The only trouble is that I'll stand four watches this month. Anything to create a complaint. Today was another glum do nothing day and I just laid around reading my Manual and watching the clock. Someday soon it will all change and we will be flooded with work. That day I will really welcome believe me. I received a letter from you this morning and one from my mother this afternoon. It was the letter that I was expecting about the funeral and all of the details. They had quite a turnout, 9 cars for the funeral which isn't too bad at a baby's funeral. She told me that the doctors detected a heart condition that would grow worse with age. I guess it's just as well that God spared him the miseries of a sickly life. When I first heard about it I was seething with anger over it but I've simmered down since then. My mother told me that the O'Haras even made an appearance so I guess they have crawled out of their hole at long last. The guy who sold Tom's house to my father Mr Ducey also was buried the same day that the baby was buried. A year ago he had a sackful of cash but he died broke. He has a son in the Working Boys Home in Newton but the old man ignored him and spent it all on liquor. I don't know what the poor kid will do now. This world is really filled with a strange assortment of people and they are all characters.
In your letter of the 25th you mentioned a gray hair all on account of me. Please honey don't get any frowns or gray hairs on my account because I'm rolling along all right and I'm never broke or close to it. If ever I'm in need of money you will get a telegram from me requesting some. I manage all right and I'm not having any strain or trouble with finances at all. I'm sorry if I cause you to worry over it so in the future I'll screen all of my financial short comings to keep you at ease. I don't want you wrinkled and gray headed before your time. Seeing that you were in an angered frame of mind after battling with Rita I guess you were scolding me in the process. I stand completely and wholly chastised. Since you are going to allow me to sleep late for at least a month after I get home I'll be sweating the time out all the more. These early risings are really monotonous and I would really relish the thoughts of sleeping until noon. Since you are getting up at 7 AM you have an idea of what I mean. It isn't too bad getting up at six now but when I have to leave you in bed and go to work it will be simply lousy I assure you. When you get here I'll positively have to get some time off especially in the morning. I'll keep you posted on it all. You are still perfect in your daily attendance at Mass and again I want to congratulate you and tell you that I'm mighty proud of you. I only regret that I'm unable to accompany you. Down here we are pretty isolated with one Mass a week and that at nine Sunday morning. We are losing Chaplains left and right and in April we will lose a batch of men who are about to be discharged so the situation in the near future will be similar to the situation that existed at Corpus Christi before I left. I don't know what this Navy is coming to these days. I'll kiss them goodbye for good in September and then they can do what they please.
Your letter that I received today had me puzzled but I guess you got your dates mixed up as it was dated Feb 19 and postmarked the 27th. My mail is still flooding in upon you so I'm perfectly content to let it continue that way. I'm glad that you got my letter telling you what week to come down and I hope that it didn't cause you too much disappointment. It should all turn out for the best even though it is a week later and to me that extra week will seem like a month. I just want you to be in good shape when you get here because it should be pretty hot down here then and I don't want you to endure the heat and the added discomfort of the 'curse.' From all I hear this heat down here plays havoc with females especially when they aren't accustomed to it. You can let me know just how you make out with Miss Mac and once I get something definite I'll get set to make some plans or arrangements. I'll be waiting for you with open arms believe me. I can hardly wait. Well honey I'm going to close out for tonight and attempt to get some sleep. Please take care of yourself. I love you with all of my heart and soul and I miss you more than anything else on earth.
All of my love to you
God Bless & keep you
Always and always
John xxxxxx
xxxxx
x”
The website - https://buildingsofnewengland.com/2022/12/09/newton-working-boys-home-1896/ - had this information on the Working Boys home. I was surprised that it closed as late as 1961!
At the edge of the Charles River at the far edge of Newton, Massachusetts, homeless working boys of the Boston area had a place to rest their head. The Working Boys Home was established in 1883, as a new Catholic charity in Boston. Its mission was to provide a home for working adolescent boys (messenger boys, newsboys, boot blacks, etc.) who had no place to call home and often slept in abandoned buildings, alleys, stables, and other such places. The Working Boys Home was open to homeless boys between 12 and 17 years of age, and all were expected to work and contribute a part of their wages to the support of the home. The original space in Jamaica Plain and subsequent Bennett Street (North End) locations were deemed too inadequate. In 1890, the 48-acre estate in the Oak Hill section of Newton was purchased and this four-story brick building built from plans by William H. McGinty. After WWII, city prosperity other services reduced childhood homelessness, and the last group of boys moved out of the Working Boys Home in 1961. The property was sold in 1979 to the Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston to be used as a center for activities meeting cross-generational needs, now known as JCC Greater Boston.
"2 March 1948
My very dearest darling Eileen Alana,
Here is your rain soaked husband once again. What a day this has been. From five this morning until seven tonight it has rained and rained and right now we are almost flooded. Where, oh where has the Florida sunshine gone? We quit work at noontime and since it was only a good day for sleeping that's exactly what I did all afternoon. It didn't do me much good because I'm just as tired now as if I had never slept. It killed an afternoon though and for that I'm quite grateful. I didn't get a single piece of mail today but tomorrow may pay off and build up my inspiration and also my morale. Today has been an awfully long day for me from 3:30 until now. My watch went along at a good pace but my stomach is feeling the pangs of too much coffee and too many cigarettes. I drank coffee to keep awake and smoked like mad to kill time. My mouth feels like inside of a vacuum cleaner, all fuzzy. I have a ten day stretch now until I get nailed again so I should get caught up before I go on watch again. Am I confused. Maybe I'm not completely awake. I just came back from our Mess where I prepared myself a batch of eggs and a big chunk of steak. What living! No where else but in the Navy do you fry stuff in butter.
According to the papers you have had another batch of snow. Will it never end? You have my whole hearted sympathy. This winter has really been a dirty one from the standpoint of weather and it has its effect down here. When a cold wave hits the north it gets either cold or rainy down here so the misery is really widespread. I'll probably wind up making this a short letter but I go on as long as I can. I'm hoping that your schedule arrives on time and when it is supposed to but since there isn't anything that we can do about it we shall just wait and see what time allows. I'm all prepared for the worst and as is usual, hoping wishfully for the best. A poor woman's life is really an unpredictable affair and the longer I'm married the more I'll realize it. No matter what happens we'll keep 'struggling' along. It's been so long since I had a wrestling match with you that I've forgotten all of my different holds and grips but it shouldn't take me too long to catch up once again. I see that you are getting all set for your trip down here and that in the near future you will be getting your permanent. Honey I'm dying to see you once again and I'll never be at ease and completely content until you get down here. I'm really sweating out the time and I'm hoping that it zooms by for us. With all of your new clothes and hair-do that are going into this trip I'm only hoping that I will recognize you when you get down here. I hope to be waiting at the plane to greet you. I'll do my very best. Not knowing too much about female stylings you will have to decide what to bring with you as far as clothes go. These people down here aren't the least bit style conscious from what I've seen of them. Just dress natural and for comfort. In a couple of weeks I'll make hotel reservations so that we will be all set when you get here. I'm hoping that the cold weather has passed us by but if it returns while you are here I'll have you to keep me warm. I may call you 'Frigid Bridget' but on cold nights you really do keep me warm so I'll be standing by waiting, maybe it's because you take my mind off the cold.
Everyone seems to be having babies on or around Green Street and they all seem to be boys for a change. I always thought that Watertown was girls town but I guess the cycle is changing. I don't see how Annie can get much larger than she is but carrying a child really makes one stand out. When I get home Green Street should sound like a nursery with all of the babies squalling and bawling. I guess it's getting to be fashionable this year to have a baby and maybe it's catching. Now don't jump to conclusions honey because I have no ideas along that line - just yet at least - because I want you to earn our board & keep for a while longer until we get settled. With Catherine Jennings having a baby to talk about now that party line should be continually busy as she calls up her mother to tell her all that goes on. With the babies that are already here and more on the way Main Street will need an extra cop to direct the baby carriage traffic. Well honey I'm going to come to a close about now and hit the hay once again. Two days have gone by so far this weeks tomorrow will be the midway mark once again.
I miss you terribly honey and I hope that time will fly so that we can be together again. I love you with all of my heart and soul. Please take care.
All of my love to you
God Bless & keep you
Always and always
John xxxxxxx
xxxxxx
xxx
xx”
I found an October 16, 1940 WWII draft registration for Thomas Francis Jennings who was living at 12 Green Street. His wife was Catherine Elizabeth Jennings. Thomas had been living downstairs at 236 Lexington Street in Watertown in the April 1940 Census - he was 27 and living with his parents - he was working as a milk salesman.
"3 March 1948
My very dearest darling Eileen Alana,
Well the week is half gone at last and I must say it is really hurrying along much to my joy. You should be down here in about forty five days and I'm sweating it out each and every day just hoping for your arrival. I received a letter from you so I had at least one bright spot in an otherwise dull and dreary (day.) It continues to rain and rain and about five inches have fallen since Tuesday morning. If it keeps up this place will turn into a lake for sure. Since the weather restricted flight operations we knocked off at about one o'clock. Since then I have been messing around doing a little here there and everywhere but getting nothing accomplished whatsoever. Tomorrow is pay day once again so I have something to look forward to when I get up in the morning. My pay records seem to be pretty well straightened out now so I'm really as flush as possible so all of your worries are over for the time being. Twenty eight weeks or 193 days remain until I'll be with you to stay so time is getting shorter and shorter all of the time. It really won't be too long in passing. I've been down here for two full months now and the time has really moved along for me. I'm just hoping that it will maintain this pace when it gets hot and sticky around here. I won't jinxed myself so I'll let well enough alone and let time and nature take its due course. So far, so good. I had better resort to your letter now because I'm running out of inspirations of my own. Rita seems to be quite the girl with all of the 'men' chasing her around. I hope that it doesn't go to her head. She seems to be giving them all a break. Stealing boy friends of her bosom friend puts her in the class of a siren though and that ain't good especially now that it has turned into a close eternal triangle. Love is the sweetest thing ~ alas.
At long last the house in front seems to have acquired an occupant so maybe it will brighten it up after the long vacancy. Let me know if it is a rental or a sale. The price that was placed on it was terrifically high for it and if this couple bought it they must have a lot of cash laying around. It will be something to keep you all occupied and inquisitive as to the details. What rent was he asking for that joint anyway? Keep me posted honey.
I'm glad Miss Mac was amiable when you asked her for the week of the 19th. It must have been a shock for her to be so amiable and so pleasant. I guess that every time you approach her with a request she has a fear that you are about to quit. At least you have her over the barrel in that situation and as long as you keep her in that position the situation should remain quite pleasant. Now that it's all decided I'll get set with reservations downtown so that everything will be all set when you arrive upon the scene. It will be really wonderful to see you once again and I'm looking forward to it with all of my heart. Just hope that the time hurrys along for both of us. That dance that we had on the base was just about over when I sauntered over so I really didn't get a chance to let my hair down as you put it. Maybe if I had arrived earlier I would have joined it.
I am in a sober state but definitely and I intend to remain that way until I get home to stay. I'm on the straight and narrow for sure and as for me being an exemplary husband, - well. Wait until I settle down for good before you form any lasting opinions, please. I remember the harum sacrum antics of my not too distant past and the anguish that they caused so I've turned over a new leaf in my book of life. Right now I'm content to exist as I am for as long as I'll be down here and it will keep me out of trouble besides. I know when we settle down for good that I won't be running around like a madman so I'm preparing for it.
As for Confession I haven't been able to make it as yet but I intend to keep at it until I succeed. Our priests are having a tough time getting around to keep us all satisfied spiritually. I'll make my Easter duty as soon as possible so that I can get it off my mind. You are continuing your daily Mass and you are doing wonderfully and keep it up because I'm rooting for you. I have the fast and abstinence regulations down here but we are immune except for Good Friday and Holy Saturday. Now that you are on that enforced diet maybe you will be able to taper off your 40 1/2 dimension. You civilians really have it rough believe me. By the way have you picked up your smoking fast again or have you dropped it completely and continued on your merry way smoking as usual? I'm still going over my Police Manuals daily and I'm coming along all right. Well honey it's time for me to say adieu for the night but I'll write again tomorrow night when with pay day in hand I should be very gabby for a change. I love you with all of my heart and soul and I miss you with all of my heart. Please take care.
All of my love to you
God Bless & keep you
Always and always
John xxxxxxx
xxxxx
xxxxx
xxxx”
"4 March 1948
My very dearest darling Eileen Alana,
Well today was pay day and your money getting husband is as flush as the First National Bank and I feel just as prosperous. I'll hold onto it though and it will help defray all of our expenses when you get down here. I wish that I was home and then I could put it to good use by buying you a few trifles just to keep you smiling & happy. I'm just romantic enough to find joy and happiness in your smile and glittering eyes so keep them both in good shape so that my spirits won't be dampened. Your presence would lift my morale to almost unsurmountable heights but with you at home I'll try to get a reasonable effect by thinking about it. It is a very very poor substitute. Speaking of substitutes I received another letter from you today so I had at least two bright moments. Today was dull and dreary but the rain held off until an hour ago so we are going through a rough cycle down here. It has got to break soon or we will all go nuts for something to do to keep us occupied. Reading and studying are commendable diversions but they get monotonous after a while so I'm hoping that the skies clear up so that we can be about our business. I take over my crew this Saturday as the senior chief is going on leave. I'm not thoroughly familiar with the work but I'll do the best that I can and if worse comes to worse I can pass it off to someone else. To increase my common knowledge a bit I picked up a couple of books on physics that will help me understand a few of the fundamental principles of everyday living in this machine age. It will break up the routine of every day reading. We haven't any flying weather all week so I suppose that Saturday will be another work-day. I'm well accustomed to them now so I'd be really shocked in a way if they condescend to give us the day off. It won't last forever - I hope.
Well honey I'm going to refer to your letter now so that I can continue with this letter. I see that Eileen is still the rampaging girl that she has always been, She must like her job because she doesn't seem to be the least bit depressed. When she gets started she really is a roughhouse that's no lie. Has she learned to jitterbug as yet? The last time you told me about her she was trying to pick up the intricacies of the modern dance. She isn't the most graceful girl I've seen but she makes up for it with eagerness. I guess now that Mitzi has bought the house in front Norman and Eddie will be paraded by her door a dozen times a day just so that Mitzi will be convinced that Hannie and Mary aren't destined to be old maids as all signs seemed to indicate a few years ago. Mitzi and her husband have really come along and I wish them luck. It seems that I'm always wishing someone good luck and I hope that some one is doing likewise by me because I hate one way deals. I don't blame you for being pleased with it all because it's a good thing to know your neighbors especially when you have to share a right of way with them. I haven't seen Mitzi since before the war so I doubt if I would recognize her now. Time really moves along believe me. You seem to be running into difficulty with your new suit and that tailor seems to be insisting on the new look for you. Are you getting the new look or have you settled on a compromise as at first? I won't pass along any opinion pro or con until I see you in person and then I'll judge and give you my decision. On tall people the new look is quite becoming but I haven't seen too much of it down here to be a real judge of it. Time will tell everything.
I guess you forgot that Civil Service Employees don't work on Saturdays and Sundays no matter what the circumstances. Having been around them for so long I have their schedule down to a "T." I don't blame you for cursing them because the majority of them need a good cussing out to get them back to work. You have a few more weeks yet or I should say a week. With your mother yourself and me as exemptions you should get away quite reasonable. I'll let you check up on all of the details as you intended. You should get the real dope from them.
Since Eileen complimented me by saying that I'm younger than Norman I'll compliment her by saying that she's pretty good too. Since I read your letter at noon I've looked in the the mirror a dozen or more times to see if it was true but since I got a hair cut today it's hard deciding for sure. It makes me feel mighty good. I must have that boyish youngish look because everywhere I go someone always calls me 'kid.' I guess I'm just ageless. Am I getting vain! I hope that Norman wasn't too setback. That snow will never disappear and I'm afraid you will be wearing boots until June. Keep your spirits up it will all disappear in the near future. The weather will probably break for the best for both of us in the near future. Incidentally my future isn't settled as yet but I'll keep you posted on anything that I think up when I get caught up with another brainstorm. I haven't had one lately.
Well honey I'm going to close out till tomorrow night. I love you with all of my heart and soul and I miss you with all of my heart. Please take care.
All of my love to you
God Bless & keep you
Always and always
John xxxxx
xxxxx
xxxxx”
"9 March 1948
My very dearest darling Ellen
This will probably turn into a 'shortie' because I've volunteered to stand a watch for a guy whose wife was rushed to the hospital this noon. I'll do the best that I can though and what I don't cover tonight I'll catch up on tomorrow. Today turned out to be another miserable cold damp day with plenty of rain to make things uncomfortable. As is our usual custom it seems we secured at two o'clock. With an hour out for supper I've spent the rest of the time brushing up on some math. I checked out a book on it today and with a little concentration and study I can brush up on it a bit. All morning I read through the Police Manual so I'm putting my spare time to some use at long last. I didn't make out in the mail department today but tomorrow should bring me better luck. With a couple of letters that I got yesterday I'm still pretty well stocked for inspiration. I'm still aching all over from my athletic endeavors and this damp weather isn't helping out very much. Honestly I'm just getting old I'm afraid and there is nothing that I can do about it it seems. Nevertheless I'll keep trying and trying and maybe the bounce of youth will return. It's been the long layoff the makes me so sore.
Well honey only 27 weeks remain until I'll be home with you to stay and then I can get down to business in earnest. It will really and truly be a great day for both of us and each and every day I look forward to it much more. It shouldn't take too long in passing. I'm hoping for the very best and a rapid passing in time. I read in the papers where you had some more snow but I thought that it was only a flurry. With ten additional inches the outlook must be quite gloomy and summer must seem to be years & years away. With Easter just around the corner and snow still up to its usual capers the Easter frocks will have to wait until April or May to be completely appreciated by the feminine gender. Every time you mention the snow I recall the couple of nights that I drove down to pick you up and save you the strain and torment of being jostled in a street car. It was wicked traveling but we made it just the same. You must be content though because the dirty slushy snow is now all white again and your eye for beauty is once more satisfied. Remember how I dug down to pay dirt in the driveway much to your disappointment and chagrin. It doesn't pay to be thorough when there are women to please.
Incidentally how is the fuel situation around that section of the country these days? I was really beginning to get worried when I heard all of the dire reports on the fuel shortage and all of the pleas that everyone cut down on their consumption of the stuff. Is your mother making out all right these days? It was rough down here for a few weeks because all of the dealers jacked up their prices and all the men living ashore were screaming like mad. It will all end someday I hope. Next year I'll be around to keep you warm on cold nights so we won't have to worry too much about oil and coal.
Tell you mother that I thank her very much for getting the big cup for me because the small ones that you women use don't hold over a mouthful. I'll really put it to use when I get home unless someone breaks it in the meantime. If and when Frank and the other guys from Hibernian drop around for a sampling of your coffee give them my regards. By the time that I get home you should be quite adept at making coffee and I'll be looking forward to a few samplings of it myself so stay in shape. Now we get around to the reducing section of your letter with all of the figures and data to match.
I guess I must have been reading the wrong charts when I commented on your figure so in reality you aren't doing bad at all. With all the lenten fast and diet you must be quite solid if you haven't lost a pound. Stay just so sweet as you are because you're just right for me regardless of your measurements. With your 28" waist you have an hour glass figure. If any changes are to be made I'll wait until I get home permanently and then we will have lots of time to talk it over. I did get your dress size though. By the way didn't you wear a 12 or 13 a short time ago? My how you have grown! Well honey my time is running out but fast and I must shave and get ready to go on watch. I love you my dearest Eileen Alan with all of my heart & soul and I will forever and ever. Please take care.
All of my love to you
God Bless & keep you
Always and always
John xxxx
xxxx
xxx”
"10 March 1948
My very dearest darling Eileen Alana
Here I am again after a very strenuous day of doing absolutely nothing except walking around to kill time. The day itself turned out to be a real nice sunny day although it was a little cool after all of the rain that we have been having. On days like this I turn into a coffee fiend as all I do is drink it to kill time and help it to pass along. One of these days I'll be enjoying the coffee that you will be making for me. With all of the coffee that I drink it doesn't affect my sleep at all for some strange reason. I guess after all these years I'm immune to coffee nerves. I worked out on the ball field again tonight and got rid of the kinks that were hampering me. I'm loosening up quite a bit now and all of my muscles should be in shape in a few more days. I ran around and played ball for a couple of hours. We play until it gets too dark to see the ball. My face is still a little sore from the sun burn that I got Sunday but it's healing up slowly but surely. I didn't do much studying today but I'm coming along at a fair rate in every thing. My mind is beginning to get in the groove so that I am able to concentrate on one thing at a time. Sometimes that turns out to be my downfall, my lack of concentration I mean. I received two letters from you today and I thank you very, very much again and again. They built up my sagging morale and provided one interesting moment in the course of my day. I see that you went bowling for a change and took Eileen along with you. She must have been a riot bowling for the first time and I really would have liked to have witnessed the occasion. I haven't been bowling for years it seems but maybe sometime I'll get back to it again. Right now I'm attempting to do so many things at once I'm getting slightly befuddled by it all. I'm glad that Eileen liked it because with her strength and muscle she should be able to throw them overhand. Once she gets on to the hang of it she should really be able to blast them down. Poor Mae seems to be quite a contrast to all of Eileen's power and energy. I don't know what can be the matter with Mae as she seems to be so listless and weak. She should really get out and move around and if necessary go to the 'Y' for a few weeks to knock off a few pounds. She is much too large for a girl her age and if she doesn't commence slimming down she will really regret it someday. I guess Hannie is the only athlete in the Keohane household but I still want you just as you are even with low scores.
I've forgotten about the baby's death as it was for the best I guess. I'm glad that I didn't do anything foolish as I was thinking about it. It really isn't any of my business. The snow and cold still seem to prevail around home. You really will have to take that trip down here just to thaw out. Maybe after your vacation it will begin to warm up for a change. I'm afraid that Easter will be a flop this year if the weather doesn't take a change for the better. Oh to be home to keep you warm these bitter cold nights. Pretty soon it will all be realized.
I guess our real estate venture didn't add up to an exemption after all. At least you have me as so I'm of some value to you after all. If and when your rebate comes through it will come in mighty handy. You slipped up on your writing for a couple of days but I forgive you once again. I know that this writing gets dull and monotonous but just do the best that you can as only a short time remains until the strain will be all over. Don't fret too bad about it honey because the weekend took up the slack. You must have spent all day Sunday writing letters. Well only 38 days remain until your arrival down here and then you can have a weeks reprieve from your letter writing. That must have been quite a bang up in Waltham in that plastic factory. That stuff made of plastics is highly imflammable and quite explosive. The chemicals are the cause of the explosion and it was just such a factory that ruined Texas City. t must have frightened your mother since she was all alone in the house. I see that the Irish dances are still going strong in Roxbury on Saturday nights. I guess quite a few of the young folks are coming out from Ireland looking for an opportunity and a break. The younger ones talking with a brogue must really sound strange especially since it's been so long since the brogues were rich and thick. All of the older people are all losing theirs by degrees. It should be quite refreshing.
Well since you closed this letter by going to your dinner I'll close this out by going to bed. I miss your mother's home cooking an awful lot and I'm hoping that you are getting a few hints for future use. Well honey I'm missing you tremendously and I love you with all of my heart and soul.
All of my love to you
God Bless & keep you
Always and always
John xxxxxxx
xxxxx
xxxx”
"11 March 1948
My very dearest darling Eileen Alana,
Here I am once again in good shape but a little the worse for wear. I walked around all day today as the weather was very unpredictable as usual but they did manage to do a little flying. Since the first of the year the weather has been quite unpredictable and we are all hoping for a change for the better. It rained again last night so we are still getting a daily drenching. Last night right after I wrote to you I hit the hay but I had the radio going so that I could pick up a sports report. I never heard because I fell asleep and the radio played all night long. It's a good thing that I had it turned down low or I'd never hear the end of it. I guess my workouts each night are tiring me out but I sleep like a log as a result. I worked out again tonight until it got dark so another deep sleep awaits me in an hour or so. All day long I kept checking the mail room but no luck. I still have a letter from last Sunday to answer so I'm not completely out of inspiration. One of our transports went down last night but no one was hurt. The plane was headed to Corpus Christi and after it passed New Orleans one of the engines began to cut up and finally the prop flew off. They managed to land at an auxiliary field in the vicinity. That is the first accident and force down that they have had in quite a long while. I guess the law of averages prevailed. I didn't get much book work in today but I did manage to get a little math work done. It gets quite involved but interesting nevertheless. One of these days I'll be quite sharp at it. Well honey I'll turn to your mail for further inspiration because my mind is a bit dull just now. This is your second letter of Sunday that I'm going over now and I see that you are still following the righteous path. You are really pious going to Mass daily and twice on Sunday. Norman seems to be quite a church goer as of late and who knows but maybe the faith will come to him. The Jesuits are usually good speakers and are very instructive. I usually listen to Monsignor Sheen each Sunday evening because he is a very good speaker and he really is very informative. He has converted quite a few of the luminaries in and around New York and Washington so his discourses have some effect. Poor Gin has her hands full with all of her kids and all. After a quiet Sunday they probably would have driven you nuts. Like all married women she passed on a few bits of gossip I see. I don't remember that girl Norma that you mentioned but I guess she is following the current trend of the uncertain and unshackling herself from all responsibilities. From what you tell me her husband always drank so she should have known what she was letting herself in for when she married him. Since its a private matter it's doubtful if both sides of he issue will be brought forth. As for our scuffle, I've pretty nearly forgotten it but since you were on the receiving end I doubt if you ever will. I can't blame you because I guess I handled you quite rough. That was the first time that I ever roughed you up and if it kills me it was definitely the last. My jealous nature got the best of me and since that time I've been squashing it down to nothing. If I do away with my jealous nature completely it wouldn't be so good for either of us so I'll keep a little of it around. I'm glad that you have taken up your cigarette fast as it pleases me very much. Keep it up!
The early risings must make the days seem long for you as they do for me, especially when there isn't too much taking place. I'm quite accustomed to the early risings now and I wake up each morning at 6:00 automatically except Sundays when I usually manage to make it at 7:30. I don't usually get any afternoon nap although I have plenty of opportunities to do so. I never got into the habit of sleeping away a dull day. I guess I'll have to wait until I settle down at home for good and then I'll have company. Oh happy happy day!
I see that you made an appointment for a permanent and I'm awaiting with all ears to hear how it turns out. That seems to be one of women's most expectant periods ~ awaiting the first glimpse of a new permanent and estimating the damage that has been done. Let me know as soon as it's all over. Well honey once again time is running out on us and I've got to close out. Eddie Cantor is about ready to off the air so I'm getting set to go to bed. I miss you an awful lot honey and I love you with all of my heart and soul. Please take care of yourself.
All of my love to you
God Bless & keep you
Always and always
John xxxxxx
xxxxx
xxxx
xxx
x”
My father mentioned my uncle Norman becoming a real churchgoer. Norman did attend Novenas by Father Manton at Mission Church in Mission Hill, Roxbury on Wednesday nights with Hannie. He eventually accepted Catholicism and was baptized into the Church - my mother and father were his sponsors.
I remember seeing Father Fulton Sheen on TV in the early 1950s on Sunday evenings - I associate it with visits to my grandparents in Dorchester - we would stop on the way home on North Beacon Street in Brighton at the Christian Brothers store where my mother bought Anadama bread to make tea and toast for our supper. Apparently Bishop Sheen had had a radio show and then moved to TV in its early days. Because of his education and travel, he was a strong proponent of the ecumenical movement.
"14 March 1948
My very dearest darling Eileen Alana,
I missed up on my writing last night and I hope that you will forgive me. I had every intention of writing but I went to the club last night and after an oversupply of brew I put on a floor show for the patrons. As a result I have a pounding in my noggin today that I can't seem to shake. Saturday I received two letters from you so I'm all set in that department. I had intentions of calling you today but I didn't think of it until supper time. Please forgive me kid because I'm really confused today believe me. Since I didn't call you today I'll call you up on Easter Sunday for sure. If I caused you any trouble or inconvenience today I'm very, very sorry honey. I got up bright and early this morning and dashed off to Mass. Although I didn't go to Communion I managed to get to Confession so next Sunday I can make my Easter duty. Lent has really moved along at a terrific rate with only two weeks more to go. I'll bet these last two weeks roll around fast much to your liking. Then you can catch up on your sleep. I had intentions of playing ball this afternoon but it was too late when I arrived upon the scene. Since my athletic endeavors were balked I basked in the sun this afternoon to sweat out this beer and as a result my face and arms are a crimson red and my back and chest are a rosy pink. The sun baked me thoroughly and it was strong and brilliant all day long. At this rate I should be tanned or fried in no time at all. I'm just hoping that this good weather keeps up for awhile because I'm sick of rain. It has rained so much and has turned hot and cold so often that the cows are dying of pneumonia down here. Tonight it turned a little chilly and I'm hoping that it isn't a prelude to this week's weather. In the past couple of days we have had two crashes; one civilian plane and one Navy plane. The civilian plane crashed into a house downtown and the fighter flown by a Reserve weekend pilot went down tonight. Accidents galore it seems but our squadron has been okay so far. Tomorrow begins another week with St Patrick's Day and possibly pay day if all goes along according to form. Here's hoping all goes well. As I told you in my earlier letter I put on a floor show at the Club last night. I guess I just cut loose because I was bored with the quiet of the joint. Some chief's wife was running over the keys at the piano and it worked me up to it all. It was like shouting at a wake. Everyone was astounded when I burst out in song and pantomime. I guess I caught them unawares but I really pepped up the joint no end. I had been guzzling beer most of the night with a couple of other chiefs and we really felt bored so up I went in full glory. I don't know what I sang but I did all right because no one walked out and everyone was laughing for a change. All day long I've been paying for it with a throbbing skull that keeps pounding and pounding. I had all kinds of intentions of writing a nice long letter but I'm afraid that I'll have to wait until tomorrow night to undertake it. I was going to write to my mother and Aunt Nellie but I never did get the opportunity. I'm just a confused aching boy tonight so please forgive me for my laxity in not writing a long letter as I should. I'll make up for it tomorrow though believe me. I love you with all of my heart and soul and I miss you so very very terribly. Please take care of yourself.
All of my love to you
God Bless & keep you
Always and always
John xxxxxx
xxxxx
xxx”
"15 March 1948
My very dearest darling Eileen Alana,
Well here is your old broken down husband once again in a pretty good frame of mind but a little tired and worn out from chasing baseballs this evening. Today turned out bright clear and warm with plenty of sunshine to light our way. I woke up this morning feeling wonderful with no bad effects or headaches to cause me grief and with a small amount of work to keep me busy early in the morning the day seemed to breeze along. I received another letter from you this morning so that helped me out considerably. Keep up your good work honey because your mail really builds up my morale to unsurmountable heights. The time is really rolling by, at least it seems that way to me because this month is just about half over and in six months I'll be home to stay for good. It will indeed seem wonderful. At times I get a squeamish feeling about it all as I look over the headlines and see the strained situation that exists between Russia and ourselves so I keep hoping and praying that everything remains fairly amiable until I get out and no emergencies arise to thwart the dreams and plans that we have made. Please honey say special prayers both day and night for continued peace and a reasonably happy life for both of us in the near future. If anything ever did come along it would break my spirit completely. About the time that you get down here national elections will be held and tabulated and the world will know how it stands momentarily at least. Enough of that now let's get back to more comforting things. Yesterday I had intended to write a million letters to everyone but you won out and being overpowered with a headache I made that a shortie. After a shower and shave I'm at it once again so here I go once again. We have had our work week extended to six days a week instead of five but since we have had only one Saturday off since I landed here it really doesn't make much difference. Liberty is granted on any fairly good excuse and I'm hoping that it continues this way while you are down here. Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope so anyway. I'll get to your letters now for a few inspirations and comment on your activities at home. I've been following the college basketball but when I read your letters I recalled that St Pat's had a hot-shot team and seeing that they came out second best it's some consolation anyway. They had quite an ace on that squad if I'm not mistaken. Poor Norman seems to be bearing the brunt of the whims and fancies of the bobby soxers with the persuasive influence of Hannie egging him along. It's a rough life for us poor men believe me. The way that we cater to our womenfolk is really something out of this world. I play ball down here with a kid that looks like Norman in the face only, just the features that's all. Give him my best wishes on his 25th birthday. Next year we will take in a lot of those sports events because sports are my favorite entertainment. I hope that the priest at the Novena is giving you all of the pointers on married life because being apart so often and for such long periods of time we will have to get reacquainted all over again when we settle down for good. I'm looking forward to it very much indeed and I promise to bend over backwards to please you if necessary so all should go along quite well for both of us. You aren't the stubborn domineering type. I see that you are getting a nice warm mild day every now and then and it should help ease away the snow and ice. Maybe while you are down here it will all melt away and you will be able to walk on the ground again after all these months of snow and ice. I see that you are still collecting Irish records. I haven't heard a bit of Irish music except the standards that are on now for St Patricks Day. Some of these hillbilly numbers have a similar lilt but they haven't the air that Irish music has. I guess Mitzi and her husband are really working like beavers trying to get the shack all set up for living. That car that they keep in the driveway may cause a little confusion if and when we are fortunate and wealthy enough to get our own. That is quite a way off just now so I won't worry too much about it. If the time does arise I guess we can settle our differences quite easily because I'm a pretty easy guy to do business with. By the way how many kids have they got anyway? I see that Jim is breaking Kathleen into society early by having her name announced over the radio. I never knew that they had a station up in Waltham. How long has it been operating?
You are still thinking about me quite frequently I see and I can truthfully say that the same conditions exist down here with me. I think of you constantly, morning noon and night believe me.
With all this added responsibility my work remains the same, I should say the lack of work. I do manage to keep busy doing something though so I'm not growling too much. I'm hoping that the cold nights have left us but while you're down here I wouldn't mind a few cold nights just to make use of you body heat and comfort. The weather should be nice though.
Well honey I'm going to close out for now until tomorrow night when I shall write once again. Please take care. I love you with all of my heart and I miss you terribly, believe me.
All of my love to you
God Bless & keep you
Always and always
John xxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxx”
"16 March 1948
My very dearest darling Eileen Alana,
Here is your ever loving husband back in the groove once again after a semi-rugged day. The morning started of swell but storm clouds began to drift in quite early. Nevertheless I went up flying and we bounced around the sky like a cork in a tempest. I got my two hours in though so I won't have to worry about flying until maybe next month and I'll do that right after the first of the month so that I can get it done and over with by the time you get down here. I guess we were the only plane flying and as we jounced around in and out of the clouds I kept wondering why we were up there. Since all went well I'm all set for awhile. I didn't make out in the mail department again today but tomorrow should bear fruit - I hope.
We quit work at 2:30 as no flying could be engineered this afternoon but at long last we are getting a bit of work. If it keeps coming in we will be swamped if we don't hurry along. My crew is cut down as two guys are on leave but we manage somehow or the other. I get along pretty well with all of the guys and they lend me a hand if and when I need it and out of fairness I reciprocate when I can. Tonight I ran wild once again playing ball and if at times my writing gets shaky blame it on my nerves that haven't settled down yet. I'm getting my wind back after a long lay off and as I knock on wood for luck my arm hasn't been sore at all from throwing the ball around. I guess I'm not so old after all. Well kid only 26 weeks remain, 6 months on the nose until I get my discharge and I'll be able to settle down to humanized living for a change. I'm still hoping that all goes well because these are dark days in Europe and I'm really praying hard that all goes well. Please do likewise honey for both of our sakes, please. My vocational ambitions seem to arouse your curiosity but settle down kid and we will talk it over when you get here. I doubt if I'll be able to get to a college this Fall but we shall see what we shall see. I won't go away to college but I'll stick close to home so that I'll be with you all of the time. My choice of college isn't quite clear as yet but if you can, try to send me the address of the Mass. State Teachers College or any accredited Teachers College in or around Boston and its vicinity. If I get their addresses I can contact them and get further dope and information to help me on my way to success. I think I'll be able to swing it in four years if all goes well. You may be able to get the address in the phone book or by calling the State House. See what you can do about it and pass on the information as soon as you can. I hope that that will satisfy your curiosity temporarily because right now it's the best that I can do now. At times I get quite confused about it all but will make it out somehow. I'm glad you thought my scholastic record was good but that 'E' in French III really sticks out like a sore thumb. I was young and foolish then so I have at least some excuse. Adolescence! I don't want to make any final definite decisions until I talk the whole thing over with you and thrash it out between us. Maybe it's all a pipe dream but I hope not anyway. About once a week you seem to (be) filled with amazing news that seems to amaze me as much as it does you. Madeline and Pete seem to have just got married but since it has been quite a while I guess it can be expected about now. Who knows what would have developed if we had been living this past year together instead of being apart so long. It just takes practice that's all and maybe some day we will have enough practice. Since everyone seems to be having babies I was going to suggest that you bring an order blank with you when you arrive upon the scene but that's strictly up to you. I guess we have lots of time as yet. Poor Gin really has her hands full with all of her kids and if they are all as rough and tough as the oldest one she must be all worn out after a rough day in the kitchen. I imagine that she would sooner have them big rough and tough than sickly and worn out as some kids are. They will simmer down in a few years and then she can train them to do most of her housework.
Our bank account seems to be piling up for a change and from the way I left it, it seems to have reached astronomical heights. Keep up the good work kiddo you are doing a wonderful job believe me and as far as I'm concerned you can manage all of our accounts. As to the way you finance your trip I'll leave that strictly up to you to do as you wish. We really will need some dough when we settle down to housekeeping so the more we leave in the bank the better off we will be. When you get down here I'll have about $150 dollars to take care of our incidental expenses so we won't really be broke. If we don't spend it all I can save the remainder until I go home on leave in July. Boy am I confused. The surplus on the house payments are really leaping kid and I hope that they keep going right on up and up. We are doing real well for the present at least. Let's hope that it keeps up for us. Well honey I'll close out for now until tomorrow night when I shall write to you once again. Please take care of yourself. I'll call you Easter Sunday afternoon. I love you with all of my heart and soul and I miss you with all of my heart and soul.
All of my love to you
God Bless & keep you
Always and always
John xxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxx
xxxx”
"17 March 1948
My very dearest darling Eileen Alana,
A glorious St. Patricks Day to you but I must say that down here it's just another day gone by for us. One hundred and eighty days to go but after listening to the President on the radio today the situation is getting serious I'm afraid but I do hope that I can get loose and if my luck will only hold out I may manage to some how I'm sure. I'll have to really sweat and hope and pray now because each news report gets gloomier and gloomier. That would be all that was necessary to completely break my heart and spirit after waiting so patiently for so long a time. I'll keep myself out of the dumps by avoiding the thought completely otherwise I'll go nuts just thinking about it. Today was a rugged day as we had plenty of work that kept us going at a good clip all day long. Since it was cloudy we got off early at 2:30 so we had a little break at that. I received two letters from you today that you wrote Saturday and Sunday so the day had some bright spots also. On top of it all I ran around this evening so I'm a little worn out from it all. I'm afraid that I'll run myself into the ground one of these nights but until then I'll keep at it. Tomorrow night I'll probably give baseball a whirl as I've confined myself to softball ball long enough.
We had a Chiefs meeting today and the Executive Officer, the number two wheel around here, gave us the word in a nice forceful way. Too many of the Chiefs are acting up it seems and it all reflects on chiefs as a whole. Myself imposed restriction will continue I guess until I get out because it's too late in the game for me to revert to first class again. From all the rumors that we hear down here they are going pretty rough with chiefs everywhere else, breaking for the slightest infraction of the rules. It's the usual Navy routine, a couple of guys are habitually get(ting) in trouble so everyone suffers for it.
Enough of that stuff for now so I'll refer to your letters. I'm on your letter of last Saturday so here we go again. I see that you have missed up on your letter writing. It seems to be getting more the rule than the habit but I won't jump on you as yet but will give you a little more time to get readjusted. I think this is just a spell and will wear off eventually. I'm at the point where I'm almost completely written out but since time is running out I'll manage somehow to continue to write to you. Some night I'll write a blistering letter that will probably give you a jolt back into reality. I see that you kicked loose for a change and like myself suffered the trials and tribulations of a big head over the week end. Isn't it just the way though that when you want to sleep the most someone or something comes along to prevent it. I've come to the conclusion that it's an impossibility to catch up on sleep and the only way to cure it is exercise. I usually sweat it out the next day by running around or playing ball. From the description of your headache and hangover you must have had quite enough to drink Friday night. After seeing you and Norman driving by Annie by her nature alone should be gabbing already but since I now know the situation everything is under control at this end. I have often wondered why your mother never taught you kids to take care of the furnace during the winter because it's an awful strain on her going up and down those stairs. That would be a good job for Rita until I get home to take over. At least she can bring up the oil in the morning and night. At her age every step counts and your mother isn't getting any younger and she has had a very hard struggling battle bringing up the family and she deserves a break at long last. Until I get home see if you can push Rita along those lines. It will only be for the spring anyway so no matter how hard she yelps it won't wear her out. I'm sorry that I missed up on the phone call last Sunday but I'll call you for sure Easter Sunday. Everything is all right with me and I am completely at fault for missing up. I hope that on Easter Sunday Catherine doesn't monopolize the phone. I've been catching a little studying in between all of my other activities but I'll have to knuckle down soon and concentrate on it. I really wish that I could be with you to discuss the whole matter over with you so that we could both give our opinions on the matter. Maybe when you down here we'll manage to give it a running over. All of my aches and pains have disappeared, I guess, except for a sore foot that hobbles me a bit when I run but it should disappear in time, I hope. At least I'm not completely banged up and bruised as I used to be when I'd date you after a football game. Those were the rough gruelling days that have gone by forever. I guess I've gone past that stage in life so you needn't have any fears or worries of me getting banged up and maimed. Well honey I'll get set for bed and say adieu for tonight. I love you with all of my heart and soul and I miss you with all of my heart. Please take good care of yourself.
All of my love to you
God Bless & keep you
Always and always
John xxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxx”
"20 March 1948
My very dearest darling Eileen Alana,
I missed up writing to you last night due primarily to the fact that I ran out of paper. I hope that you'll forgive me because it's very seldom that I do miss up. Today was a beautiful day and may all wonders cease, we didn't have to work today and for a change I finally had the chance to sleep in on a Saturday morning. Since this is the last week of Lent coming up you will soon be able to do likewise. Friday I got another letter from you so I have something to work on over this week end. Tomorrow I have a watch from 4-8 in the afternoon and for a change I'm lucky in the fact I won't have to stand two watches. Tomorrow will be the first day of spring but for the past couple of days it seemed more like summer as it was quite hot with the thermometer hovering around seventy-five or eighty. Today was sort of muggy but we did have a slight breeze blowing to help us out. From all indictions it's going to be just as hot down here in Florida as it was in Texas last summer. I still have my fingers crossed hoping that we will have the benefits of a cool breeze all during the summer. In Texas I wasn't doing anything so I could relax and remain comparatively cool but with work as it is I'll probably collapse from heat prostration but I'll have to wait to see what time will bring.
The time is drawing close for your arrival down here and I'm looking forward to it with all of my heart and if time keeps rolling along as it is you should be here in no time at All. Next Sunday is Easter Sunday and I hope that it turns out to be a beautiful day so that you can display your new dress and permanent in great style. If I remember correctly you got your permanent today and I hope that it turns out swell for you. I'll be expecting you to arrive in full new regalia when you come down here. I'm awaiting expectantly!
I did a little more studying today but I can't concentrate these days but in time I'll really knuckle down at it. My work is really giving me a few headaches but I have them whipped now. I think so. Monday will tell for sure. This aircraft business is really a puzzling business because after one detail is thouroughly understood something else quite the opposite pops up to throw everything out of shape. Someday I'll learn everything about everything. Such is life!
I didn't see the picture 'Cass Timberlane" but as of late I haven't seen too many movies at all. Quite different from Texas but it's just as well, at least when we go to a show the picture will be as new to me as it is to you. Mary B is really making out like a burglar with hope chests and diamonds from Eddie to keep her happy. She must be very excited and happy over it all and I'm mighty glad of it. Poor Norman is confronted by a seemingly immovable object but maybe Hannie will succumb to persuasion in time.
I limbered up some more last night but almost broke my arm in the process so I'll skip this weekend to give it a little rest. It's just sore and strained that's all. Nothing to worry about. Well honey I'm going to close for tonight and I'll write again tomorrow night. I love you with all of my heart and I miss you so very very terribly.
All of my love to you
God Bless & keep you
Always and always
John xxxxx
xxxxxxx”
"21 March 1948
My very dearest darling Eileen Alana,
Well honey today is the first day of Spring and I'm sincerely hoping that the weather befits the day back home. I got off watch about an hour ago and after a few brews I'm writing this letter to you. If any complications arise to make the letter a little befuddled blame it in the beer. I won a case of the stuff on one of the slot machines so I have no other choice but to drink it. What a situation! Our area is going to be flooded with important people for a week or so but I doubt if it will make any difference to any of us as far as work is concerned. They arrive tonight and as I stood the watch that was all that I heard, making arrangements for these so called big shots. Today was another beautiful day but it was hot and sticky. With me I guess no weather could possibly be perfect, as least not until I get home anyway. When that time arrives everything will be absolutely sublime as far as I'm concerned. Time alone will tell so all that I can do is wait for future developments. I went to Mass and Communion today so my Easter duty has been taken care of and you should be the recipient of a few beneficial graces. Let me know if you possibly can, how they aided and benefited you. For requesting that I must be drunk.
I messed around all day long but did manage to get off a letter to my mother after about a months delay. Now I have to answer one from Aunt Nellie and I'll be all caught up for sure. I'll manage to clear it all up eventually. With you it's an every day occurrence so I'm all straightened out in that matter. I still have a letter to answer so I'll get to it right away. Well St. Patrick's day has come and gone and all that I have as a memory is Dennis Day singing 'Danny Boy.' All the Irish down here, at least their name implies that they are Irish, all go to the Methodist Church and are all rabid Masons. Somehow I can't quite understand it but that's the way that it is. They must all be of the renegade Irish breed who were run out of Ireland years and years ago. All of the good Irish are up North I guess.
Madeline seems to be all agog about her coming offspring and I imagine that she has good reason to be. It will be another burden to bear but at least she will have something to occupy her mind besides the trifles of every day living. One of these fine days you can submit your request for an offspring so that you won't be left too far behind all of your schoolmates. Let me know when you enter your request and I'll do my best to endorse it. Everyone seems to be baby conscious these days and who knows but that it may be catching. Now that schedule has arrived after a short delay you seem to be all set to go so I'll be expecting you as usual. Eastern Airlines will give you the best service down here as they have a pretty direct run. You should go to Washington thence to Atlantic and finally after Montgomery & Birmingham Alabama you will arrive down here. Don't forget, Eastern Airlines! Well honey a hard day confronts me tomorrow so I'll sign off for now until tomorrow. I love and miss you with all of my heart and soul so please take care.
All of my love to you
God Bless & keep you
Always and always
John xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxx”
"22 March 1948
My very dearest darling Eileen Alana,
Another week has started off in pretty good shape and I was so busy all day long I didn't even notice what kind of day it was. The sun was out I know and it was quite warm but all morning I worked at a very steady pace with no letup at all. It made the day really roll along for me. This afternoon I spent taking tests. Yes tests! General Classification Tests to determine my IQ and to see just how smart I am. I did all right from my own thinking but I'll learn officially tomorrow. Who knows I may even be a genius ~ such is life. My ego is running away with me again it seems. I received a letter from you today so my day wasn't a loss anyway. It will help build up my lack of inspiration. I'm slowly going nuts down here over the laundry situation because for some strange reason or other mine is held up somewhere. As a result I'm wearing my last set of dungarees and they are so oily and dirty they pretty near stand at attention by themselves. If they don't return them soon I'm going downtown to knock down the building. Maybe tomorrow will bear fruit and I'll have some clean clothes to wear. I'm hoping so otherwise I'll be going naked.
I put in another strenuous afternoon today running around playing ball but I'm still handicapped by a sore foot. I'm trying to work it out but the pain is persistent. One of these nights I'll get it X-rayed to see just what the matter can be with it. Well kiddo in twenty five days you will be here and I can hardly wait believe me. Until my discharge rolls around only 175 days still remain so the time is certainly not standing still for us and let's hope that it keeps up this happy merry pace so that we can get together at long last and settle down for good. When you get set to come down here buy a round-trip ticket at your end. The return trip will be an 'open' ticket that they can schedule for you at this end. That way we can have that expense all taken care of at the outset and it will be one expense and worry out of the way. Next payday about the 5th I'll be able to tell you about how much cash I'll have on hand when you do get here and in that way you can figure on how much money you'll need to take with you. I'll probably have about $150 on me by then so you can act accordingly to the tune of about $50 as it's best to have too much than too little. Okay? I just made up a memo list to remind (me) to corral a mess of things tomorrow from light bulbs to Easter cards.
I really kicked the gong around that weekend that I failed to call and forget was really what happened. At dinner I got in a long involved discussion on Labor Unions that ran on and on and being befuddled by the after effects of a trying evening my mind was about as sharp and keen as a mashed potato. I will call you Sunday I promise you with all of my heart. I'm still getting encore calls for another performance but I'll tease them out. Some night you'll hear me in full glory. How about that party in Roxbury at the Cronin's? The only reason I went into action down here was simply that I was bored stiff but I put life back into the joint. Well honey I'm going to flop into the bed now and I'll write tomorrow for sure. I love you so very very much, with all of my heart and soul honey.
All of my love to you
God Bless & keep you
Always and always
John xxxxxxxx
xxxxxx”
"24 March 1948
My very dearest darling Eileen Alana,
I missed up last night in writing to you as I went to a bingo party at the Chiefs Club and I guess I got a little overloaded with brew and by the time I got back here I doubt I could have maneuvered the pen. I hope that you will forgive me for slipping up. The bingo games were all against me because I didn't even get close to winning one. What a night, what a night! Today was another lovely beautiful day and since we haven't many students we knocked off an hour early. It didn't really make much difference because all of the work that was piled up on me has now been cleaned up and we are free once again.
The last time that I wrote to you I was complaining about the laundry service down here. Well I made out yesterday but it had been locked up for about three days in a locker at the end of a hallway. Now I'm all straightened out for a while. As also I mentioned I took an intelligence test a couple of days ago and the results amazed even me as I made a remark that I'd probably turn out to be a genius. Well yesterday I got the results and with the largest score possible a 72 I made a neat average of 68. There were three tests and my scores were 69, 68 and 67 so I didn't do badly at all. It really was quite an undertaking believe me. I've made out in the mail department three days in a row so I have a couple on hand to answer as yet. Well honey only 24 days remain until you get here and the weather around here is getting warmer and warmer and the sun is getting brighter all of the time. There is a great big yellow moon out tonight and it is shining in all of its glory lighting up all of the ground almost as bright as day. What a night for romance! Maybe there will be one when you get here and then I'll probably get in a romantic mood. I'll be in one anyway but it will undoubtedly create a romantic mood. We will see.
Well I guess I had better turn to your letters now so that I can get caught up once again. I see that St. Patricks Day was as quiet for you as it was for me so we can wait for next year to roll around. I'm hoping that the next few months roll by at a rapid rate because these past three months seem to have really rolled along in no time at all. I also listened to Bing and the President so I guess we were doing just about the same thing. All the war talk and such has me on pins and needles but regardless I doubt if they will hold up my discharge because of it. Under normal conditions they can hold me 90 days and then they will discharge me. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and I'm praying like mad for all to turn out well. Just you keep hoping and praying and I know that all will turn out well for the both of us. You will be able to sleep a little longer in a few days if you don't decide to continue the practice of daily Mass. If I had the opportunity I'd go everyday myself. That advantage was the only good thing that they had down in Texas while I was there. I haven't heard a sermon for so long that I've forgotten what they talk about. The priest is so rushed he hasn't time to give us a sermon. The life of a Catholic chaplain down here is really rugged believe me, a twenty-four a day job. I'm listening to Bing sing the Easter Parade and it's the first time that I've heard it this year. Something is really wrong because it's really a beautiful number. I guess I'll have to commence whistling it tomorrow to get everyone in the proper frame of mind for Sunday. I'll be calling you then so be standing by at about the usual time. I'm going to go to Communion again Sunday and I'll offer it up for both of us for a speedy passing of time so that we can be together for keeps real soon. That's all that's on my mind now and always. I see the poor cat has strayed from home. Probably out on a bender or sowing some wild oats. Since he has returned I guess he has returned to the straight and narrow.
Uncle Sam seems to be on the ball in delivering my mail to you. It takes an extra day for your mail to get to me because the main base picks up all Navy mail and holds it up a whole day sorting it and distributing it to outlying fields. Everything seems to be delayed down here. Incidentally I sent Aunt Nellie and Aunt Hannah an Easter card today so I guess I'll remain in their good graces a while longer, I hope. I was going to send you some flowers for Sunday but it would really put a terrific dent in my reserve that I have set aside for your arrival down here. I hope that you understand and won't mind too much. It must have broken Miss Mac's heart to give you that extra day off or maybe that accident has really affected her somewhat. It's all for the best if that extra day is any indication. The time (is) approaching rapidly honey so you had better make your reservations in the very near future. Get a round trip ticket to Pensacola and back. It should run up to a little over $150. When you get down here we can really talk about our future and all of these ideas that I have developed in the past few days. All that talk about low teachers pay is only incidental. With all of the publicity they should be getting an increase soon. Nevertheless I'll try.
I was only kidding about that order blank for a baby as I'll leave that completely up to you for the time being. But if we don't start soon we'll be old enough to be grandparents before we produce any results. I guess Peggie has had her baby by now and I hope that all turned out well for everyone. You'll be able to give me all the dope Sunday. Now all her trials and tribulations are about to begin and out the window will go the cats and dogs and goldfish too. After a few months pacing the floor Paul will really be worn down to a frazzle. With work, school, and an expectant wife on his hands these past months he should be about completely exhausted by now. Such are the woes and worries of this married life. Once we settle down definitely then we can plan on our off spring, God willing. Well honey I'm going to close out for now and hit the hay as I'm worn out from running around playing ball. I'll write again tomorrow night. I love you with all of my heart and soul and I miss you with all of my might. Please take care.
All of my love to you
God Bless & keep you
Always and always
John xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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"25 March 1948
My very dearest darling Eileen Alana,
Another day has passed along its merry way and you are one day nearer to me. Time is really moving along at a good clip honey and it hardly seems possible that Lent is almost over and that Easter is upon us already. I only hope that it keeps moving along at this same rate and all of my complaints will be at a minimum I assure you. I received another letter for you today so in that department I'm doing quite well. Keep up the good work. If and when you do miss up I'll blame it on spring fever as with the weather being so nice up there now you are about due for a mild case of it about now. Down here I haven't been able to find time for any laying around because for the past week I find myself swamped with work. We cleared up a good deal of it today so tomorrow we should be able to make out all right. Saturday being Easter Saturday the powers that be have condescended to give us a break so we don't have to work. I'll probably go down town and make hotel reservations for your arrival so that you won't have to sleep on a park bench. I'll attempt to get the best available so that you will have no lack of comfort. Once I get that straightened out I'll try to big deal a few days off while you are down here and if possible both long week-ends. I can't really count on it but I'll do the best that I can. The weather remains nice and the sun hot so in three weeks when you get here everything should be in great shape. I hope so.
We knocked off a little early today again but I followed my usual routine of playing ball. Right now I'm playing softball but I think I'll swing over to baseball for a change. Discontent I guess but instead of lying around and brooding I work it out in sweat and aches. It passes the time for me and occupies my mind. I still manage to get in a little studying during the day but not as much as I would like to put in. I see that you have finally managed to get your permanent and from all the diversified comments it really must stand out. When you get down here it should be grown out a little and then naturally I'll make a favorable comment to cheer you up. I know that on you it looks wonderful. It really will save you an awful lot of work prior to your bedtime as it used to take you at least an hour to get ready when I was home with you. I guess Madeline is all excited about her far away blessed event so these long nights while Pete is working in the store she will have something to think about. I guess Pete can't be doing very good in his business venture and for that I'm sorry. Maybe one of these days he will hit a good break and be on his way to a half-decent successful venture. Well honey I'm going to close out for tonight but I'll write again tomorrow. Please take care of yourself. I love you with all of my heart and soul and I miss you very very much. Until tomorrow -
All of my love to you
God Bless & keep you
Always and always
John xxxxxxxxxxx
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xxx”
"27 March 1948
My very dearest darling Eileen Alana,
Another day and another week has passed into oblivion or wherever it goes and so that much time has been knocked off my stay down here. Today was a pretty good day although it was a little cloudy and rough for any flying. We finished up all of our loose ends and so we can start next week from scratch once again. I lose my command and responsibility after today because the other chief returns from leave on Monday and in a way it's a welcomed relief. Now I'll be able to sit back and take it easy for a while. Today was also inspection day so we had to do a bit of cleaning up for the good of the cause so in reality today was really a waste of time. I was so tired of doing nothing whatsoever that I layed down when we knocked off and didn't wake up until about 8:30 tonight. I didn't realize how much doing nothing could tire me out. I must be getting old because that's the only conclusion that I can draw. Tomorrow is a day of rest so I can catch up on a little late sleeping for a change. Two Saturdays in a row to sleep in really amazes me. It will probably cease from now on out.
Well Sunday is Easter and I'm hoping and praying that the weather will be fine and sunny that you can show off your Spring finery in great style. The weather is very threatening down here tonight and it may turn to rain in the morning. I'll call you Sunday and give you an on the spot account of the weather down here. I didn't get any mail from you today but lo and behold I did get a nice Easter card from Aunt Hannah and Stephen. I'm mighty glad that I sent them one a couple of days ago as now we are still on even terms. Well honey only 170 days remain until I'll be home to you to stay but in the meantime only 22 days must pass until you will be with me for awhile. Oh happy day! At the rate that time is flying by it is comparable to about a slow week so it shouldn't be too long in passing. I hope not. I'm looking forward to your arrival very very much honey and I can hardly wait until you get down here. Well they broke a chief down here today back to first class It doesn't pay to mess around. Now he has lost Chief he will probably never be able to get it back again as since he couldn't hold it he will be continually passed over in favor of someone who is more deserving. Nothing but the straight and narrow for me from now on, not that I have strayed but just a little more determined effort to stay right. Well honey I still have a letter to answer but I'll let that go until tomorrow or Sunday so that I'll have a bit of inspiration to hold me over. I love you with all of my heart and soul and I miss you terribly as I do always. Please take care.
All of my love to you
God Bless & keep you
Always and always
John xxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxx”
"27 March 1948
My very dearest darling Eileen Alana,
Hello once again. Everything is all set for your arrival because I made your reservations this afternoon - by phone. You should get here in the a.m. of the seventeenth and will be staying until the morning of the twenty-sixth and your reservations are all made accordingly. I'm as excited as a three year old over it all so please rush the time along. Incidentally it won't be a twin bed affair and if you intend to treat me as a brother one of us will have to sleep on the floor and since I'll be doing the chores I'll need the rest. We'll let that take care of itself when the time comes along. With no work today I slept my morning away but I did manage to get up at ten. Now that Lent is all over I guess you can do likewise from now on in. After all of those strenuous days in the office a good morning sleep will really be a pleasure especially after all your sacrifices. This will probably be the last Saturday that I'll be able to sleep until you get down here. The weather continues to be nice and sunny and only a slight breeze keeps us from sweltering. It should be just right for you when you get down here and you should manage a tan quite easily. I hope that some of the beaches will be opened up when you get down here but I'll keep (you) posted on that deal to see what's what. Today outside of making your reservations I didn't do a blessed thing except play a pin ball machine at no cost and the afternoon ran away like nothing at all. It's very good omen anyway.
Tomorrow brings Mass and Communion in the morning and also your phone call in the afternoon. It will do my heart a world of good just to hear your voice again. Right now your arrival has me on pins and needles with anxiety and gladness. Tomorrow night I have a watch in the Recreation Hall. I'm standing it for a guy who lives over in Alabama who wanted to go home this weekend. It's a good swap because this is an easy watch and I have one scheduled Wednesday night the he can stand for me. Now I'll have to swap a watch while you're down here but I think I have it all arranged so I'm not worrying about it too much. Only 21 days to go kid, a matter of three weeks so on your mark, get set to go. I'm awaiting your arrival longingly.
Well honey I'm going to give arm a rest for now but I'll write again tomorrow night or afternoon and I'll answer your mail then. Incidentally check Eastern Airlines as to the cost of the flight because I think you may be able to make out a little better than American but you do just as you wish along those lines. I love you my pet with all of my heart and soul and I miss you terribly, so very terribly. Please take care of yourself.
All of my love to you
God Bless & keep you
Always and always
John xxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxx
xxxxxxx”
"28 March 1948
My very dearest Eileen Alana,
Happy Easter to you my pet. I really meant to greet you that way over the phone but the long delay had me flustered and fuming. That was the longest that ever I had to wait to get a call through but since the connection was good that's all that really counted. I just got off watch and it was the most tiresome and boring affair that I have ever been forced to endure. Playing nursemaid to a bunch of guys playing pool. I guess I survived okay although some officer on duty came in and gave me a blast for having cigarette butts on the floor. I'll probably hear about that tomorrow night thru the grapevine. All in all it was a swell day and everything went along fine for me as usual but I just didn't have time to do any writing outside of this letter. In time I'll probably catch up with all my creditors and then the circle will start all over again. There seems to be no end. Well honey in twenty days I expect to see your beaming smiling face with your new permanent and all and I hope that the time will really roll along until you get down here with me. At the present rate it won't be too long but each week will seem like a month to me until I see you again. It will be a wonderful week I know. As I told you over the phone I went to Mass and Communion this morning and I offered it up for the both of us as is my usual custom. That's two Sunday(s) in a row now and if the line isn't too long next Sunday I'll go to Confession and Communion again. I am on a straight and righteous road and there I intend to remain. I guess I just about talked myself out over the phone today and the letter that I intended to answer would only intend to make it repetitious. I guess though that Peggie and her expected heir has everyone on edge with all of these delays and postponements but time should bear fruit in the near future. From the reports that you send me she is almost ten days overdo so the child should be quite aged when he is finally born into this world. I hope that everything turns out to be wonderful for her and that she gets exactly what she wants.
Well tomorrow starts the windup of March and the beginning of April so I had better sign off now as it's pretty late, much past my usual bedtime. I miss you terribly honey, so very very much and if I failed to say I love you this afternoon I want to tell you now that I love you more than anything or anybody on earth. Please take care of yourself.
All of my love to you
God Bless & keep you
Always and always
John xxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxx”
" 29 March 1948
My very dearest darling Eileen Alana,
Hello again honey. Another day has passed and now only nineteen days remain until your arrival down here and I'm awaiting you anxiously and expectantly. To satisfy my longings and yearnings for you until your arrival I was blessed with two letters and an Easter card from you today so I'm not doing bad at all. Thanks again kid for your card because it was a wonderful one and I appreciate it a lot. Well the weather has changed a bit over the past few days and it is considerably cooler now, in fact about 30 degrees cooler as the thermometers only register around fifty whereas they were up to eighty for the past few weeks. I hope that all of the bad weather plagues us for these few weeks and that it will clear up and be gone when you arrive upon the scene. I'll see what can be down about it. Well today turned out to be a day of relaxation because our work was of short duration and we knocked off at three o'clock. May it always be so nice but no tomorrow will bring about a drastic change for us and we will be all loaded down for at least a week and possibly ten days. It is really a vicious cycle believe me. I dug up a few more books to help me out in my search for higher and better education. If my brain can absorb all of this knowledge it will explode but I'll continue to keep at it. When I breeze through these books it all returns to me quite rapidly and I come to the great realization that it's quite simple to grasp and understand after all these years of practical work. I guess we all learn with age. These are all Navy course books and they are really wonderful. Before I get out I'm going to amass a pile of them for future reference and study. I don't know what I'll use them for but I'll have them nevertheless.
I showed up for baseball practice today but they quit a few minutes after I got there so I got a real workout playing softball. I sweated and strained until I practically flopped from exhaustion. With all these workouts I should be losing weight but nary a change it seems to me. You can decide for yourself when you get down here. I must say that I'm not as soft as I was so that's a help anyway. I guess I'll never be in the shape that I was in when I returned home from Jacksonville. I guess all of my instructions to you arrived too late for you to use but I tried. Since you made out all right it doesn't matter. Easter must have jacked up their prices since I came down here. While I was getting set to go home for Christmas from Corpus all the other airlines except Eastern jacked up their prices 10% and by now Eastern must have followed suit. Since you are coming to join me expense is no object. Hold onto those stubs as you can deduct about $25 on your income tax with them. Money conscious that's us.
Well Easter is all over for another year and it will be quite different then I'm sure, at least you'll have me to contend with anyway. Well honey another day draws to an end and I'm going to close out and rest my weary bones for another day of toil. I love you with all of my heart and I miss you tremendously. Please take real good care of yourself.
All of my love to you
God Bless & keep you
Always and always
John xxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxx”
"30 March 1948
My very dearest darling Eileen Alana,
Here is your poor old boy almost completely exhausted from participating in athletics and one one of these fine days I'll have to make up my mind to play either softball or baseball. I got off early today to play baseball and after the baseball practice I went through the paces of softball for a couple of more hours. My poor legs seem about ready to give out completely but I imagine that a good night's sleep will straighten me out all right. Today was another good day, a little cool and windy but the sun was shining. Once again we are swamped with work and with work and my extracurricular athletic ventures I'm putting in a full complete day. I'm only hoping that I can hold up under it without wearing myself out. I'll slow down before you get down here so that I'll be (in) half decent shape for our usual tussles. I'm really wishing and praying and hoping like mad that the days pass quickly and that we will be together again. Only eighteen days to go honey so the time is almost upon us. Speaking of time I have only 24 weeks to go until my discharge will be presented to me at long last. I have my mind on about a million things at once but I manage to concentrate on the more important things. I received a letter from you today so the mail department and myself are getting along quite amicably these days. This morning I went to the dentist and had a check for a change. I am now the possessor of three cavities that will be taken care of 26 April at 2 pm. It was the earliest possible appointment that I could get. My teeth have been giving me a few pangs of misery but nothing serious at all. As of late I haven't been paying too much attention to them but I'll get on the beam from now on out. I was also interviewed today as to whether I'd like to be an instructor or not. Being content as it is I declined. They seem to be getting all set up for an emergency if and when it arises. They can hold out until I get out and then they an do as they wish. Right now my whole aim and desire is to be with you. You did very well going to daily Mass all during Lent and I'm very proud of you for it. I hope that all of your prayers will be answered but quick. I see that Norman had to put up with the whims of a couple of females buying clothes. It reminds me of the time I went up to Waltham with you and Ma before we were married. What an experience! It's all in a lifetime I guess. I see that DeValera was in Boston also. I guess he must be making a tour of the country these days. He should keep the Irish in good form.
Well honey I'm worn out so I'll close out until tomorrow night when I'll write to you again. I love you with all of my heart and soul and I miss you desperately honey.
All of my love to you
God Bless & keep you
Always and always
John xxxxxxxx
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xxxxxxxxx”
"31 March 1948
My very dearest darling Eileen Alana,
Hello honey baby and how goes the battle on this last day of March? I just dropped another leaf in my calendar and tomorrow will bring on beautiful rainy April. It's off to a good start down here because it's raining and between the showers it's hot and humid. I hope for a nice cool breeze to help me out but as yet none is forthcoming. Who knows what the night will bring. The accompanying lightning has disrupted my radio reception so here I sit in silence and solitude. The fifteen dollars that I paid for this radio was one of the best investments I've made in a long while and with the pleasure and entertainment it has more than paid for itself. Without it I think that I would have gone nuts long ago. It should hold up through the summer and then it will have completed its usefulness and will be due for a long rest. Today being a work day I went to it hot and heavy as usual. After my strenuous workouts yesterday I hated to get up this morning but I did finally manage to make it. I was completely worn out all over. Today I confined my energies to baseball and after a real hard sweaty workout I came back here cleaned up and relaxed for a few minutes. As a result I don't feel so dragged out from it all. Tomorrow afternoon we have practice game on tap so It shouldn't be too bad at all. One advantage of this baseball racket is that we knock off two hours early and make a few trips during the season. That isn't too hard to take it all. I had my wooly head shorn again today as it was beginning to get long and hot. I can't understand how you can have long hair during the summer and not feel completely uncomfortable. The pangs of life of a woman I guess. I received another letter from you today written Easter Sunday so I'm still doing quite well at this end. They are getting shorter and shorter but as long as they keep coming I won't complain at all. Long or short as long as it's mail. I'm awaiting your arrival expectantly and only seventeen days remain so time is really moving along at a very rapidly. From your reports Kathleen must be a real prize package now because she was only beautiful before. Jim is indeed lucky to have such a beautiful child. If I could see her I undoubtedly and positively would have 'ideas' to begat one just like it. Maybe someday in the future! I don't understand your dread of childbirth honey but maybe you have your reasons. When the time comes we can thrash it out between ourselves. Your desire for six kids amazes me no fooling, it does.
It's too bad that it had to turn cold on Easter but at least you had the opportunity of wearing your new ensemble to Mass so the day wasn't a complete loss after all. I'll be expecting you so please hurry down honey because I'm on edge with anxiety. I love you and miss you with all of my heart and soul and I will always.
All of my love to you
God Bless & keep you
Always and always
John xxxxxxxxxxx
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As my father said time really is passing quickly to his discharge!
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